🔸 October 6 – The Holy Apostle Thomas 🔸 Today, we commemorate the Holy Apostle Thomas. Originally a fisherman from the Galilean city of Pansada, he followed Christ and became one of His original Twelve Apostles. Initially, Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection. He declared that he would not believe unless he saw the print of the nails on Christ’s hands and touched His side (John 20:25). On the 8th day after the Resurrection, Christ appeared to Thomas and showed him His wounds. Having touched the flesh of the Resurrected Lord, Thomas confessed his faith, crying out, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the lot fell on Thomas to preach in India where, due to his proficiency in architecture, he was commissioned by the king Gondophares to build him a grand palace. Thomas was given much gold by the king for the project - all of which he distributed to the poor. He even asked the king for more gold to finish the roof which he also gave away. Seeking only to lay the foundations of the Church, Thomas led many to the True Faith. Upon discovering what Thomas had done, the infuriated king seized him, demanding to see his palace. Thomas responded, “In the present life you cannot see this palace, but when you depart from this life, you will behold it and shall rejoice to live there unto the ages.” Feeling mocked, the king sent Thomas to prison. That night, the king’s brother had a vision: an angel took him to heaven and showed him a magnificent palace, saying that Thomas had built it for the king. The king rejoiced upon hearing this vision and freed the Apostle. Since Thomas arrived 3 days late to the Dormition of the Theotokos, he wished to venerate her body, but when her tomb was opened, it was empty. Returning to India, Saint Thomas converted the wife and son of the prefect of the city of Meliapur to Christ. For this was imprisoned, tortured, and pierced by spears upon which he delivered his soul to the Lord.